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NBA Handicapping: Mavericks on under-the-total hot streak

Good article on the Dallas Mavericks' recent defensive improvements despite being without the services of Rajon Rondo and Tyson Chandler for multiple games. The increase in defensive play coupled with a few sub-par shooting nights has resulted in eight straight games going under the total.

"Our focus is a lot more on the defensive end of the floor," Rondo said after the Mavs' 102-93 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. "Offense never wins championships. Scoring 108 or whatever we were scoring means nothing if you're giving up 105 or 110.

"Guys are understanding what we need to accomplish," reserve guard Devin Harris said. "Our help-side defense is impacted. We've always had Tyson in the middle, but I think we're doing a better job of closing the gaps, forcing people to shoot more jump shots, forcing skip passes and things that we've been emphasizing all year long. I think guys are really honing in on that.

Teddy Covers' Las Vegas Wiseguy Report: Who has what it takes to win the Big Dance Part I

History shows us many things about what it takes to be a champion. I write this article every year, and in every year except for two, I have been able to identify the eventual NCAA National Champion among my elite level teams. Both exceptions were the same team – UConn – making miracle runs to win the title as prohibitive longshots.

Last year, the Huskies were on the ropes in their tourney opener against St Joe’s, needing a late rally just to send the game to overtime. Three weeks later, they cut down the nets as national champs at Jerry’s World in Arlington. I didn’t see it coming. Neither did the betting markets, with UConn priced in the 100:1 longshot range prior to the tournament. And if a longshot like that wins every coinflip game in the tourney this year, I’m not likely to get it right either.

I write this article every year before the regular season is over, before the conference tournaments, before the tourney seedings are announced and before a single March Madness game has been played. And I’ve nailed the winner of the NCAA tournament four times in the last eight Read more

Congress slowly changing its stance on sports betting

Former Rep. Tom Downey (D-NY) had some logical things to say about the current state of sports betting. Downey feels that members of Congress are becoming more accepting towards the matter.

But, as Commissioner Silver said, “times have changed.” Not the least of those changes is the moral authority of the NFL. Moreover, all major sports leagues now have affiliations with online fantasy league gambling, exempted from the sports betting ban on the argument that skill, not luck, is involved. Knowledge of which players are worth investing in requires some study, of course, but so does deciding whether the Redskins can beat the point spread on any given Sunday.

What has also changed is Congress. Based on my years of working with Members on and around this issue, I sense a new attitude and acceptance that the time is right to do something on internet gambling.

College Basketball Handicapping: Minnesota looks to get younger players more reps

After three straight losses, (16-12, 5-10 Big Ten) Minnesota appears accepting that the only way path to the Big Dance is to win the Big Ten Tournament. But in the meantime, with three games left in the regular season, the Golden Gophers will continue to give their younger players more reps.

“I think the young guys are learning, and I think they’re picking up well,” senior center Mo Walker said. ”You’ve got to give them the court experience or they’ll never learn. … They’ll get better as time goes on.”

“As we’re moving forward, these young guys have got to get reps,” he said Saturday.

College Basketball Betting: Nebraska wants to get season over with ASAP

Things continue to head south for Nebraska as always candid head coach Tim Miles banned his team from the locker room following Sunday's 74-46 loss to Iowa. Miles had already hinted the Cornhuskers wouldn't accept a bid to a secondary postseason tournament should they even qualify. They've now lost seven of eight. NU's only win and cover during that span was when it somehow managed to pop for 76 points in blowout win over Northwestern. In their other seven games, they averaged less than 50 ppg. They close out the regular season with road games at Ohio State and Illinois and a home finale vs. Maryland.

“You never want to throw your players under the bus, but that was just beyond disappointing,” Miles said. “That’s not what we represent. I told our guys, ‘when I was at Southwest Minnesota State, to pay for shoes we used to have to go to the Renaissance Festival in Shakopee, Minnesota for a weekend and pick up trash. We were the trash guys.

College Basketball Gambling Update: Louisville kicks Jones off of team

Two days removed from being reinstated, Louisville starting point guard Chris Jones has been suspended again, but this time for good according to head coach Rick Pitino. Reports indicate that Jones will be seeking "anger management treatment." So just to recap; Louisville gets drilled at home by NC State, Jones is suspended, Louisville gets drilled on the road vs. Syracuse, Jones is reinstated, Louisville fails to cover in two-point win over Miami, Jones scores 17 and hits three of team's five three-pointers, Jones is kicked off the team. The Cardinals have been bet from -4 to -6/-6.5 for tonight's game at Georgia Tech.

NBA Handicapper Free Play: Boston Celtics at Sacramento Kings

This will be the first game for Sacramento under new head coach George Karl who brings in his up-tempo brand of basketball as he tries to rebuild the fledgling Kings. After Mike Malone was fired, Sacramento went 7-2 O/U run in its first nine games under Ty Corbin. But as the market adjusted that trend wore off a seven of the Kings’ last eight games leading into the All-Star break went under. With Karl now at the helm, and veteran Andre Miller joining him for a third time, I think there’s a good chance this team could go on another stretch of “over” basketball. Boston isn’t likely to shy away from an up-tempo game as they’ve seen each of its last four games against team with a losing record (Philadelphia, Denver, New York, and Minnesota) fly over the total. Boston improved themselves at point guard by acquiring Isaiah Thomas from the Phoenix Suns. He should fit in nicely to a solid three-guard lineup with Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart. Boston will be without a major front court presence for an indefinite period of time with Jared Sullinger out with a foot Read more

Well, this is interesting. Arizona State's student section uses this crazy curtain-like operation during opponent free throw attempts that statistics say gives ASU nearly a point-and-a-half worth of extra homecourt value. They're no doubt reaching with this one but worth checking out tonight as UCLA comes to town (6 pm PT, ESPN2).

Austin Tymins of the Harvard Sports Analysis Collective estimated that the visiting teams’ lowered accuracy—60.6 percent in the second half this season, versus 68.6 percent in the first—should result in a 1.41 points per game home advantage for ASU.

College Basketball Betting Free Play: Boston College Eagles at Florida State Seminoles

Boston College’s schedule has been a beast having played 10 of its 12 ACC games against opponents with a .500 or better conference record. Sandwiched in they also faced 17-5 and probable NCAA Tournament bound Harvard. That baker’s dozen culminated Monday afternoon with a double overtime game versus Miami (postponed from the day before) which not only ended in a heartbreaking loss, but also shortened the preparation and rest time for this contest. There’s only so much in BC’s tank right now and traveling on short rest off of a tough loss sets this one up as a fade situation. BC’s rotation (only seven deep) saw all three top scorers go 43 or more minutes on Monday afternoon with team leader Olivier Hanlan playing 49 of the 50 minutes. It’s an excellent spot for host FSU to take advantage of a fatigued opponent which has now dropped six straight contests. Leonard Hamilton’s group is on a current three-game ATS win streak and even broader 7-1 ATS mark over their last eight. During the impressive money making run, only ACC elite Duke and Read more

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